The Presence of HPV DNA in Neck Lymph Node Metastasis Correlates with Improved Overall Survival of Patients with Oropharyngeal Cancer Undergoing Surgical Treatment.

Background: Few studies have addressed how human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) affects the outcome of surgical therapy; furthermore, the relationship between the presence of HPV DNA and neck lymph node (LN) metastasis has not been well established.

Methods: A total of 65 patients who underwent surgery as a first-line therapy for OPSCC were enrolled in this study. In HPV-positive patients, the presence of HPV DNA in metastatic neck LN lesions was evaluated.

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasolacrimal duct treated with proton beam therapy.

Primary malignant tumors of the lacrimal passage, particularly of the nasolacrimal duct, are rare. We describe a 72-year-old woman who presented with lacrimation 5 years previously. She had pain and bloody and purulent lacrimation, and a mass was identified in the inferior meatus.

Homozygous deletions of UGT2B17 modifies effects of smoking on TP53-mutations and relapse of head and neck carcinoma.

Background: Smoking induces oncogenic TP53-mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Disruptive mutations of TP53-gene and expression of p16 protein [p16 (+)] in tumor tissue associate with worse and better prognosis, respectively. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2 family, polypeptide B17 (UGT2B17) detoxifies smoking-related metabolites.

Distinctive mucositis and feeding-tube dependency in cetuximab plus radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Objective: Prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be considered before chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, because severe mucositis is a common complication. We evaluated the mucosal findings and necessity of prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving cetuximab and radiotherapy.

Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving cetuximab and radiotherapy were analyzed.

MUC expression in adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck regions of Japanese patients: immunohistochemical analysis.

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the head and neck regions. We elucidated the relationship between ASC and MUC molecule expression. We selected 14 cases of ASC in the head and neck, and examined them immunohistohcmically.

Squamous cell carcinoma with rhabdoid features of the gingiva: a case report with unusual histology.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with rhabdoid features (SCCRF) is extremely rare in the oral cavity. We report herein a case of oral SCCRF. The patient was a 69-year-old Japanese woman who had been suffering from a mass in the right lower gingiva.

Distinct effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on genetic alterations in head and neck carcinoma.

Background: Tobacco and alcohol consumption are risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Recently, whole-exome sequencing clarified that smoking increased TP53 and other mutations in HNSCC; however, the effects of alcohol consumption on these genetic alterations remain unknown. We explored the association between alcohol consumption and somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs) across the whole genome in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative HNSCCs, and compared with the effects of smoking on genetic alterations.

Salivary duct carcinoma with rhabdoid features: report of 2 cases with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses.

Background: Salivary duct carcinoma with rhabdoid features is extremely rare.

Methods: We report 2 cases of salivary duct carcinoma with rhabdoid features treated at our institution.

Results: Case 1 was a 44-year-old Japanese man who had swelling in the left parotid region.

Copy number amplification of the PIK3CA gene is associated with poor prognosis in non-lymph node metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Deregulation of the EGFR signaling pathway is one of the most frequently observed genetic abnormalities that drives cancer development. Although mutations in the downstream components of the EGFR signaling pathway, including KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA, have been reported in numerous cancers, extensive mutation and copy number analysis of these genes in clinical samples has not been performed for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: We examined the mutations and copy number alterations of KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA in 115 clinical specimens of HNSCC obtained from surgically treated patients.

Functional mutation analysis of EGFR family genes and corresponding lymph node metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Tumors with certain mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family genes dramatically respond to EGFR inhibitors. Therefore, these mutations are important factors that influence disease progression and patient survival. We previously studied the mutation status of EGFR in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

[Cardiac metastasis by hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Case report].

The patient was a 63-year-old Japanese male who came to the hospital with a chief complaint of a sore throat. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma (T4N2bM0, stage IVA) was diagnosed, and at the strong request of the patient he was treated by chemoradiotherapy. The tumor markedly decreased in size, but atrial fibrillation was detected when an ECG was performed in preparation for planned a scheduled re-biopsy of the hypopharynx.